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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Computer Ethics and Law
Reference CM3100 Version 3
Created December 2020 SCQF Level SCQF 9
Approved July 2016 SCQF Points 15
Amended March 2021 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
To provide students with the ability to independently and as a team member identify, analyse, discuss and report key issues of ethics and law that relate to computer security for both individuals and society. Students will also be provided with an opportunity to explore and understand the importance of the roles users play in cyber security. This includes positive and negative aspects, human error versus premeditated actions and behaviours.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Identify important ethical and legal issues that impact on professional behaviour linked to computer security.
2 Research and analyse material and real-world situations that relate to ethical and legal issues linked to human aspects of security.
3 Systematically debate, discuss and report the outcomes of investigations.
4 Provide advice and recommendations about how to tackle ethical and legal issues linked to security.
5 Apply industry standards and guides of best practice to situations involving information security.

Indicative Module Content
Legal and ethical frameworks; codes of conduct and professional societies. Modern security concerns and cyber issues; privacy, sharing; hacking. Interpreting laws and approaches to ethical analysis; case studies. Human in the loop; human errors and security vulnerabilities and how to counter them. Analytical skills and systematic analysis; debating, reporting, writing and oral skills. Cyber terrorism; cyber defence; professional roles. Standards and Best Practice Guides: ISO 27001, ISO 27014, ISO 27036.

Module Delivery
This module is delivered through lectures, tutorials and assessed practical work with formative feedback.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 36 N/A
Non-Contact Hours 114 N/A
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 N/A
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Description: A written coursework to assess the understanding application of computer ethics and law in our industry and its place in society.

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
The calculation of the overall grade for this module is based on 100% weighting of C1. An overall minimum grade D is required to pass the module.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A The student needs to achieve an A in Component 1
B The student needs to achieve a B in Component 1
C The student needs to achieve a C in Component 1
D The student needs to achieve a D in Component 1
E The student needs to achieve an E in Component 1
F The student needs to achieve an F in Component 1
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module CM2102 Real World Project & Professional Skills, or equivalent.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 MANJIKIAN, M. 2018. Cybersecurity Ethics: An Introduction. Taylor & Francis
2 TAVANI, H. T., 2013. Ethics and Technology: Controversies, Questions, and Strategies for Ethical Computing. 4th ed. Wiley.
3 FRIEDMAN, B., HENDRY, D. G. 2019. Value Sensitive Design: Shaping Technology with Moral Imagination. MIT Press

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781